With hurricanes so much in the news, this is an appropriate time to acknowledge and thank amateur ham radio operators for their work in emergency situations.

One way to do that is to attend the second annual Hamfest sponsored by Saint Croix Valley Amateur Radio Club from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Alexander School on Route 9.

Admission is $5 in American currency, which allows attendees to sell or buy at their convenience.

Skip Colson, the ARC emergency coordinator for Washington County, reports half the gate receipts will benefit programs of Alexander School, as will all proceeds from food that school supporters will sell at the Hamfest.

The event serves several purposes from enabling ham radio operators to swap and talk to selling and buying.

Additionally, Colson explained, volunteer examiners will be available to test in all elements, which means people have the opportunity to be upgraded in their licensing process.

Tables will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis but, if you wish to be tested, you need to call in advance.

Club members and other ham radio operators should know that the “talk in” will be on the 147.330 PL 118.8 repeater.

Colson said one very important aspect of the work of amateur radio clubs is community service, such as might be necessary during this hurricane season, and as was necessary during the Ice Storm of ’98.

Ham radio operators assist in many emergency situations and other activities such as marathons or getting information or messages to individuals all over the world.

For more information about this event, the club and its activities, or to request testing, call Colson (KB1HXC) at 454-2156, or e-mail him at KB1HXC@ARRL.net.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine’s fourth annual Walk for Wishes begins with prewalk festivities at 5 p.m. and the walk at 6 tonight at Paul Bunyan Park in Bangor.

Six-year-old wish recipient Makayla Sennett of Bangor will be walking with her team, “Cruisin’ for Makayla,” as will previous Bangor wish recipients 8-year-old Kasi Pratt and 3-year-old Tyler Hawes.

The cost of the average wish is $5,000 and this year Make-A-Wish of Maine expects to grant the wishes of 75 seriously ill children.

Now through Saturday, Oct. 2, Green Acres Kennel Shop is conducting a silent auction offering more than $3,000 in goods and services to benefit the Bangor Humane Society Shed & Emily Fund.

Among the items up for bid are seven days of dog boarding with playtime, a $99 gift certificate for a training class and dog food for three months.

Green Acres also will be the host of its eighth Pet Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at its 1653 Union St. location in Bangor.

The event includes recall clinics at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., walking politely clinics at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., pet first aid from 9 a.m. to noon, nutrition information during the day and nail trims for $4.

The sixth Marvelous Mutt show is 11 a.m., and your $5 entry fee will benefit BHS.

The Shed & Emily Fund was established by Green Acres co-owners Don and Paula Hanson as a living memorial to their dog Shed and the late BHS feline mascot.

For more information about these events or the fund, which is used for socialization and behavioral rehabilitation of animals at BHS, call Green Acres at 945-6841.

Members of Orrington Grange have launched a fund-raising campaign to replace its leaking roof and preserve the historic building.

To help “Raise the Roof,” you are invited to attend A Music Extravaganza featuring six bands from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the grange on the corner of Dow Road and Center Drive.

All-day admission is $10 and $5 after 7 p.m.

Performing on the hour, beginning at 3 p.m., will be the country music of Billy Orcutt & Friends, then two bluegrass bands, Penobscot River Ramblers and Rare Birds, the rock ‘n’ roll music of The Sunset Strip, metal music by Sound Bender and, finally, extreme metal East Coast Stomp.

For more information, call 825-4514.

The correct date for the Komen Maine Race for the Cure Blues for the Cure, featuring five live blues bands, is 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 17, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer.

Admission is $6, and proceeds benefit the Komen Maine affiliate.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.